Leicester City Opinion: Why Moussa Marega would be a good signing for Leicester

This is not the first time that the Hammers have been linked with Marega, with Portuguese source Sapo Desporto previously reporting West Ham’s interest in the prolific Malian last summer.

This is not the first time that the Hammers have been linked with Marega, with Portuguese source Sapo Desporto previously reporting West Ham’s interest in the prolific Malian last summer.

The same report claims that Leicester City scouted Marega in the Champions League as Porto beat Roma 3-1 in extra time in the second leg at home to progress to the quarterfinals, with Marega picking up a goal and an assist.

The 27-year-old has been in terrific form for Porto this season, accumulating a staggering 17 goals and 10 assists from 34 appearances in all competitions.

He scored 22 goals last term in the Liga NOS to help Porto clinch the domestic title and has replicated his goal scoring form in the Champions League this season, level with Lionel Messi with 6 goals to his name.

Standing at 6ft. with a busty and stocky frame, Moussa Marega might not be the tallest of centre-forwards but he is an absolute beast of an attacker who excels with his uncompromised work-rate, tremendous physical strength and incredible eye for goal.

He combines his upper body strength with ability to get off the ground quickly to meet the aerial balls but he has a whole lot more to his game than just aerial prowess.

Marega uses his pace and raw power to cut inside, often beating defenders with his sharp turn of pace and dominating physical presence to run clear through on goal.

He is quite agile too, playing off the shoulder of the opposition’s centre-backs to beat the offside trap and make runs behind the backline. The Malian has an absolute hammer of a right foot and is adept at finding the net with powerful drives, whilst his ability to play defence-splitting through balls is an added asset to any team.

To put things into perspective, he would be an ideal signing for both the aforementioned clubs but Leicester City can bag a massive coup and bolster their squad significantly by beating off competition to sign the Malian international.

Brendan Rodgers should aim for a complete overhaul of his attacking options next summer and Marega, 27, would make a good long-term investment.

The departure of Claude Puel and the arrival of Rodgers from Celtic has worked wonders for Jamie Vardy, with the Englishman netting a brace in the Foxes 3-1 victory over Fulham last week.

While Vardy is still capable of delivering 15-20 goals in a season, Leicester need to get the underwhelming Kelechi Iheanacho off their books as soon as possible.

The Nigerian hasn’t scored for ages and he doesn’t look like a quality player who can thrive in the Premier League. Islam Slimani has had a disappointing loan spell once again and offloading him permanently would allow the Foxes to invest elsewhere.

Japanese international Shinji Okazaki is also out of contract in the summer and is likely to depart the club, further epitomizing the need for bringing in reinforcements.

Having endured a tumultuous campaign in the Premier League this time around, Leicester need to invest heavily to fight for a Europa League spot next season and Moussa Marega, with his pace and power, should thrive in the Premier League.

Marega still has plenty of years remaining in his prime, and that said, the Foxes should not hesitate to splash the cash on him.

Leicester reigniting interest in this 25-year-old goal machine would provide Rodgers with ideal backup for Vardy

Leicester City Opinion: Why the Foxes should go all out to sign Roger Assale

Back in April last year, a report from the
Daily Mail claimed Leicester City were tracking Young Boys striker Roger Assale
ahead of a summer transfer. However, a move never materialised and the Ivorian stayed
with Young Boys.

Roger Assale, 25, scored 21 goals and provided 14 assists in
49 games as Young Boys won the title last season. However, his productivity has
declined this campaign as the Ivory Coast international has only scored seven
goals and supplied six assists in 23 games thus far.

Regardless of his drop in numbers, Leicester City should reignite their interest in Assale and sign him this summer.

The Foxes have an exciting attacking unit, filled with young
talents like James Maddison, Demarai Gray and Harvey Barnes. But the club needs
a bonafide goal-scorer to replace the ageing Jamie Vardy, who has been a
brilliant servant at the King Power Stadium.

Vardy has scored 12 goals this season, racking up a century
of goals in the blue jersey of Leicester and already flourishing under new
manager, Brendan Rodgers. Yet, Rodgers should plot a replacement for the former
England international, who turned 32 earlier in January.

The Foxes need goals and without Vardy they struggle, with Kelechi Iheanacho not living up to the expectations since moving from Manchester City in 2017. Shinji Okazaki will turn 33 next month and may leave the club after his contract expires at the end of this season.

That makes signing a centre-forward so important for the Foxes and Rodgers should plot a summer swoop for Roger Assale.

The Ivorian is the type of player Leicester City desperately is in need of. Assale is not just a fine dribbler; he also happens to be a nippy, technically-gifted and powerful forward with a superb eye for goal. He keeps the ability to race past his opponent in a blink of an eye and score a goal, that’s how quick and decisive he is in the final third.

The 25-year-old is lethal inside the box, has decent pace
and knows how to generate space in the attacking third of the pitch. He
will enter his prime in the next year or so and will be a fantastic signing for
a team like Leicester.

Verdict

The acquisition of Assale
would undoubtedly bolster the Foxes’ attacking options at the King Power
Stadium. Rodgers and the Leicester board should do everything in their
power to bring the diminutive Ivorian to the Midlands in the summer as the
striker could give Leicester City a boost in challenging the Big Six next season.

They won the Premier League against all the odds and looked like they should be champions-elect right from the first fixture of the season.

With sheer hard work and passion for the cause from the men in blue, Claudio Ranieri had got something going at the King Power Stadium.

With some excellent work in midfield from Danny Drinkwater and World Cup winner N’Golo Kante, who are both Chelsea players now, they were able to dominate even teams from the top-6 and thereby hold top spot right until the final day of the season.

The main factor in that season were the crucial goals and most of them were delivered by English forward Jamie Vardy.

The man who rose from playing Sunday league football to the Premier League level in the blink of an eye, Vardy’s exploits for the Foxes that season are part of history.

His goals have kept the Foxes fans going through difficult times after that as well and despite his ripe age of 32, he still delivers on a consistent basis and works his socks off each and every time he steps on the football pitch.

While he is a club legend, at 32, the need to look for alternative is high and this summer could be the perfect time. Here are three players who can readily replace the talismanic forward:

Jean-Pierre Nsame

The Cameroonian international forward has become a key player for BSC Young Boys since making the switch from Servette for a meagre sum of under a full million.

The 25-year-old has been in good league form and has picked up 8 goals from his 20 games this term. Tall and well-built, his size certainly doesn’t deter with him mobility and using his long strides, he puts himself about on the pitch and that could just what Leicester need.

Oliver McBurnie

The young Scottish international forward has been brilliant up-front for Swansea City this season and he is the club’s top scorer as well. With 16 goals and 4 assists from his 33 appearances, his efficiency certainly doesn’t need to be questioned.

Still only 22, he has the right attributes to make a name for himself in the English game and his movement and positioning in the box will suit the talented midfielders in the Foxes ranks and that’s why this move is assured to be a hit.

Sam Lammers

The Dutch youth international is a very highly rated PSV academy product who is currently employed by fellow Eredivisie club Heerenveen for who he has scored 14 times this season from 23 appearances.

With 5 assists to his name as well, at just 21, he has the perfect opportunity to announce himself by making the switch to King Power where he would be able to sit in perfectly given his attacking and finishing capabilities.

Forget Man United: This 23-year-old midfield ace would work wonders by joining any of these 3 PL sides on loan instead

Man United Opinion: 3 loan destinations for Andreas Pereira

According to the Sun, Man United are considered shipping Andreas Pereira out on loan for the whole of next season to allow him to get more regular first-team football.

United triggered a 12-renewal option in Pereira’s contract, with the 23-year-old midfielder set to be out of contract in the summer, and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants the Brazilian to put pen to paper on a new four-year deal. (h/t Sun)

The Sun also reports that Pereira is held in very regard by the United hierarchy and they are hopeful that a loan spell in another Premier League club will help him make the grade at Old Trafford.

Leicester City are also keen on bringing Pereira to the King Power Stadium, with Brendan Rodgers reportedly a long-term admirer of the Brazilian. (h/t Sun)

Pereira has enjoyed more first-team involvement under Solskjaer, with the Brazilian scoring a stunner in United’s 3-2 victory over Southampton and starting in the incredible 3-1 victory over PSG in the Champions League.

A loan move will definitely give him more exposure, and here are 3 possible loan destinations for the creative ace.

1. Leicester City

A loan spell under Brendan Rodgers might help him take his game to the next level. The Foxes have enjoyed a bright start to life under Rodgers but they need to sort out issues relating to lack of creativity in the midfield if they are to challenge for a European spot next season.

Youri Tielemans have certainly added more cutting edge to Leicester’s midfield but the Foxes will need to smash their club-record fee in the summer to acquire the Belgian’s services permanently.

James Maddison has made a massive impact this season while Harvey Barnes has shown signs of promise after returning from his loan spell at West Brom.

With his ability to play anywhere in attacking midfield, Pereira’s presence will certainly be a boost to Rodgers’ team dynamics and squad depth, and the Brazilian is more than capable of competing with likes of Maddison, Barnes, Ghezzal and others for a spot in the team.

2. Bournemouth

Bournemouth have had a season full of promise under Eddie Howe in the Premier League this term and a creative midfielder like Andreas Pereira would be a potentially good signing for the Cherries in the summer, as they look to post a better challenge for a Europa League qualification spot next season.

Youngsters like David Brooks and Nathan Ake have taken their football to a new level at the Vitality Stadium and Pereira has every chance of being the next one to do so.

The Brazilian has the ability to play as an attacking midfielder behind the striker and in a withdrawn central role in the middle, whilst also possessing the versatility to play out wide on the left.

His versatility will give him a good chance of not only proving himself as an upgrade on Brooks, Junior Stanislas and Jordon Ibe but will also help him push the likes of Dan Gosling, Andrew Surman and Lewis Cook for a place in the side.

3. Crystal Palace

Ruben Loftus-Cheek enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Selhurst Park last season and United should be drawn to the idea of allowing Pereira to further his development under the tutelage of Roy Hodgson.

The Eagles have struggled for creativity all season, with summer recruit Max Meyer failing to make much of an impact in his first season. Pereira boasts of good sharpness and flair on the ball and has the ability to move the ball around quickly in the attacking third.